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‘Tush Push’ as an ‘NFL Blitz’ Play

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By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

When “NFL Blitz” was released, I played the game for so many hours that I’d lose track of time. One thing that I always felt was missing from the classic NFL game was more running plays. You would often have to toss a lateral to a teammate to run the ball up the field. I admit, throwing was a lot more fun, but a few running plays in the jumbo formations would’ve given the play a more offensive balance.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ “tush push” would’ve been perfect for “NFL Blitz.”

In the second quarter of the Baltimore Ravens preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, they converted a first down around the 50-yard-line by running a “tush push” play.

When the Ravens got the first down, I thought, Oh, the “tush push,” good for them. I was happy to see them use it and have it work. I couldn’t stand the play when the Eagles first started using it. It really bothered me for some strange reason. It even agitated me when they did it. Particularly when they scored a touchdown running it. There was something just off about it.

I had an epiphany: now I think I like it. Like jumping from one political party to another, I’m not sure why I’ve grown to anticipate the “tush push” by a team that only needs a few inches for a first down or a touchdown. Fresh, new things take time to get used to.

The “tush push” is, at its core, a variation of the quarterback sneak—a play that dates to football’s beginning. In an outdated sneak, the quarterback, positioned under centre, takes the snap and instantly surges forward behind the offensive line, trying to gain the necessary inch or two for a first down or a touchdown. The “tush push” alters this by employing one or more players behind the quarterback, who, at the snap, bodily push the quarterback from behind, propelling them forward with greater force.

Da Bomb was my favourite offensive play when playing “NFL Blitz” on my Nintendo 64. I would often select Hail Mary, but that always felt too easy to score on the opposing team. My favourite defence to play was Suicide Blitz and 2 Man Blitz. Suicide Blitz was always tricky because you could get burned with no defensive players playing back.

 

Super Mario Bros. Plumbing TV Commercial – Let’s A Go!

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Got to admit it, the Super Bowl always features amazing ads, and considering the fortune they cost, they need to grab your attention immediately!

It was great to see the marketing of the Super Mario Bros movie in full swing at the Super Bowl! Not only do we have the movie coming, but there is also a plumbing website, https://www.smbplumbing.com/, complete with testimonials, careers, services offered and a phone number to call either Mario or Luigi! The cheesy ’90s smell is wafting through the internet here!

If you don’t want to watch almost 4 hours of this year’s Super Bowl to get a glimpse of the ad, here it is! WA-HOO!


source: Illumination



It’s Okay that Kyler Murray’s a Gamer

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By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

Several weeks ago, you would’ve thought Arizona Cardinal’s quarterback Kyler Murray clubbed a baby seal and posted it on social media.

In Murray’s new five-year, $230.5 million contract, the Cardinals had included a clause requiring Murray to “complete at least four (4) hours of independent study” during game weeks. The “homework clause” specified that Murray would not receive credit for studying on an iPad if he was simultaneously playing video games, watching TV, or surfing the internet. Then, the Cardinals eventually removed the “independent study” clause from the quarterback’s contract.

If Murray didn’t like what was in the contract that was presented to him and his agent, he didn’t have to sign it. But some of the National Football League pundits who were dismantling the Murray contract addendum on various shows, had no kind words when the subject of video games came up. Most NFL gurus shrug at the mere mention of video games because they don’t have an investment or stack in gaming; they don’t gain anything when video games are brought up in their circles.

The 25-year-old quarterback took a thumping from most NFL commentators. Ryan Clark, on “NFL Live,” compared Kyler Murray to a fifth grader. Pretty harsh. Granted, fifth graders play a great deal of video games, but so do people in their thirties and forties.

A couple of fashionable pundits have said that when Murray throws an interception this season, fans will immediately say, “He’s been playing video games too much.” There could be a lot of reasons why Murray throws a pick. The most likely reason being that the cornerback anticipated a pass play when Murray drops back. Playing video games will have nothing to do with it.

Some in the sports media seem anti-video gaming. The revenues for the global game market were $159.3 billion in 2020. Do people who are paid to give their sports takes on the NFL know how many young people play video games? It’s estimated in 2023, there will be 3 billion video game players worldwide.



image source: Fox Sports

No QB Kneel in EA’s Madden

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By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

I’ve been playing EA Sports’ Madden for most of my life. It’s probably one of my favourite games. With each new edition, the graphics are enhanced and the speed increases. The game is so iconic, I can’t imagine gaming without Madden. Madden has been the go-to, two player game for most gamers; especially ones who love the NFL.

Several years ago, to make Madden more of a challenge, a friend, who I always played Madden with, thought it would be fun if we eliminated the option to QB Kneel. We kept losing close games to each other by using the QB Kneel offensive play when one of us was slightly ahead. It got kind of boring. And Madden is a lot of things, but boring shouldn’t be one of them.

source: EA Sports

When we removed the play option from our games, it made Madden even harder. When you got a comfortable lead, you couldn’t just sit on it and stop thinking about strategy. Fumbles and interceptions became more prevalent in the final minutes of a contest without the QB Kneel.

I started to not use the QB Kneel when I played single player Madden. It seems simple to just run the ball until the clock runs out, but when you’re playing a solid team on the most difficult setting, a fumble always seems to transpire. You quickly realise how important the QB Kneel is. I even tried throwing it. That was a mistake. The defences are too good to let a pass sail by, and if you miss your man, the clock stops.

Adding an extra bit of difficulty to a game that can already be a struggle isn’t wise, but if you want to get better at Madden, try it once. Even if your play with the Patriots or the Eagles, a fumble seems to always happen when you’re trying to run out the clock. I’ve even had easy field goals blocked with seconds left in the game. Playing without QB Kneels makes the urgency to score early even greater.